Trulia Voices: If you buy a condo to live in do you still have to pay HOA fee's?http://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/If_you_buy_a_condo_to_live_in_do_you_still_have_to-516932en-usAnswer by Curly Suehttp://www.trulia.com/profile/curly-sue-other-pro-texas-9487264/http://www.trulia.com/profile/curly-sue-other-pro-texas-9487264/Yes, of course you have to pay your HOA fees.Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:28:56 -0700Answer by Teresa Turnerhttp://www.trulia.com/profile/teresa-turner-broker-seacrest-fl-1991770/http://www.trulia.com/profile/teresa-turner-broker-seacrest-fl-1991770/Regardless of whether you live in your condo full time or use it as a rental property, you always have to pay your HOA fees. When you own a condo, you own your interior space plus a percentage of all of the entire condo community. In order to keep it all maintained, everyone has to pay their fair share.
Your Realtor should provide you with your HOA documents and a disclosure on what your HOA dues obligation is before you close on the property so you know exactly what you are committing to.
Hope this helps answer your question.
Teresa Turner
www.YourDestinRealtor.comFri, 26 Apr 2013 13:22:16 -0700Answer by Peter Mohylskyhttp://www.trulia.com/profile/peter-mohylsky-agent-sandestin-fl-5411804/http://www.trulia.com/profile/peter-mohylsky-agent-sandestin-fl-5411804/HOA cover alot of the costs associated with living in a nice property. The more ammenities,, generally the higher the HOA.Fri, 26 Apr 2013 08:49:40 -0700Answer by Lyn Woodshttp://www.trulia.com/profile/lyn-woods-broker-miramar-beach-fl-966028/http://www.trulia.com/profile/lyn-woods-broker-miramar-beach-fl-966028/As Myke and Kelly explained, HOA fees are common expenses.
But another thing you would want to look into when buying into a condomium complex is whether the owners are putting aside "reserves". Reserves are like a "saving account" to replace the roof eventually and resurface the asphalt in the parking lot and other long term uses.
Some conservative complexes also put aside money for a "huricane deductible fund", rather than assessing the owners when unexpected repairs are needed.
I can help you research the complex you might be interested in. I only work for buyers so you can be sure that I am working for your best interest.Fri, 26 Apr 2013 08:09:27 -0700Answer by Christina Hayeshttp://www.trulia.com/profile/christina-hayes-other-pro-morristown-tn-1590019/http://www.trulia.com/profile/christina-hayes-other-pro-morristown-tn-1590019/Yes, HOA fees cover the expenses to maintain the grounds, mailboxes, parking lots, etc.
Best of Luck:
Christina Solorzano;
CEO & SR Credit Repair Specialist at
Everlasting Credit Repair
Ex-Mortgage Banker of 10 years
http://www.everlastingcredit.comFri, 26 Apr 2013 06:21:25 -0700Answer by Bill Eckler-Florida,http://www.trulia.com/profile/bill-eckler-florida--agent-venice-fl-133970/http://www.trulia.com/profile/bill-eckler-florida--agent-venice-fl-133970/HOA fees consist of necessary expenses required by the community to maintain upkeep and repair on the complex. The amount of these HOA fees are established by and approved by the owner/residents of the community.
There are no exceptions when it comes to these mandatory fees. Everyone pays these assessments or risk having a "lien" placed on their property.
BillFri, 26 Apr 2013 06:18:04 -0700Answer by Myke Atwaterhttp://www.trulia.com/profile/myke-atwater-agent-destin-fl-66118/http://www.trulia.com/profile/myke-atwater-agent-destin-fl-66118/Being part of a larger whole is what being a condo is all about. There are many shared costs that need to be divided equally among all the owners of the property. As a homeowner you do have a say by vote as to decisions being made by the association.
You are "sharing" ownership of the grounds, amenities, and responsibilities for upkeep of the building, roof, etc. If you owned a detached single family property, you would cover those costs by yourself and think nothing of it--the cost of ownership.
Myke Triebold
850-305-6256
MykeSaysSold@aol.com
Go to www.DestinHomeRealty.com for up to the minute market information--tab Market Insider will give you all the demographics for any community you are interested in.Fri, 26 Apr 2013 05:17:46 -0700Answer by Mike Joneshttp://www.trulia.com/profile/mike-jones-agent-destin-fl-3076248/http://www.trulia.com/profile/mike-jones-agent-destin-fl-3076248/The short answer is yes, you would still be responsible for the HOA fees. These fees are for building maintenence & repairs, landscaping, Building Insurance, trash pickup, management, etc. In most cases the benefit and convenience is equal to or greater than the coast. Don't be afraid of the fees, but examine them throughly before you buy.Fri, 26 Apr 2013 05:09:54 -0700Answer by Kelly Kleinhttp://www.trulia.com/profile/kelly-klein-broker-destin-fl-361489/http://www.trulia.com/profile/kelly-klein-broker-destin-fl-361489/The HOA fees or condo fees are all a part of owning a condo vs a home. When paying these fees they go for things like exterior building insurance, maintenance of the grounds, the pool area, trash removal, water, sewer, and most of them also include basic cable vision. As a homeowner, you would be paying for all of these fees on top of your mortgage. When lined up side by side the condo ownership fees end up costing less than owning your own home. So yes the fees have to be paid. They can be figured out monthly, but most of these fees are always paid quarterly. If I can be of more service to you, I would love to assist you. I work exclusively for buyers and protect their interests by negotiating the lowest possible price for them and giving them all of the information they will need to make a smart purchase. Please feel free to contact me anytime.
Warmly yours,
KellyFri, 26 Apr 2013 05:01:11 -0700Answer by Larry Tollenhttp://www.trulia.com/profile/larry-tollen-broker-durham-nc-1342051/http://www.trulia.com/profile/larry-tollen-broker-durham-nc-1342051/Of course you do. Why would you think you're exempt from paying the fees? Here's what happens if you don't pay your fees: At one point the HOA will either pt a lien on your property or foreclose on it for the fees you owe. These fees were clearly disclosed to you when you were buying so what's the problem?
If you don't want to pay fees, then you don't buy in a development where there's an HOA. If you buy in a development where there's an HOA you have committed to paying your fees like everyone else.Fri, 26 Apr 2013 04:51:29 -0700Answer by Jim Olivehttp://www.trulia.com/profile/jim-olive-agent-key-west-fl-4648816/http://www.trulia.com/profile/jim-olive-agent-key-west-fl-4648816/I used to view condo and HOA fees very negatively...a lot of money for what? I don't see enough landscape work or "Common Area Maintenance" for $300 times the number of units. But now I see things differently. Compare your Florida condo fee (which usually includes building insurance) with the insurance bill on your Florida single family home, and you'll start to see what I mean. Best of luck...JimFri, 26 Apr 2013 04:34:41 -0700Answer by Annette Lawrencehttp://www.trulia.com/profile/annette-lawrence-agent-palm-harbor-fl-684998/http://www.trulia.com/profile/annette-lawrence-agent-palm-harbor-fl-684998/Whether you live it in, look at it or just think about it, if you own it you pay the fees, all the fees, according to the published schedule.....or you willl LOSE it.
Best of success to you,
Annette Lawrence, Broker/Associate
Remax Realtec Group
Palm Harbor, FL
727.420.4041
http://RealEstateMadeEZ.usFri, 26 Apr 2013 04:26:12 -0700